Liturgy
Father, we pray for courage as we begin this week,
for we understand there is work to be done,
burdens to be carried, feelings to be shared
and joys to be celebrated.
Grant us the courage to be silent
that we may hear your voice;
to persevere, that we may share in your victories;
and to remember,
so that we may not forget the way by which
you have led us.
And when this week is done,
Oh Lord, may we have the courage
to see your guiding hand
in the friendships that have been made,
in the hurts that have been healed,
and in the strength that has been given
all in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Congregational Prayer
We believe in God the Father
Who created all that is
And gave our ancestors the dignity of freedom,
Which we abused and are abusing still.
God grieves over our evil
And calls us to his better way.
God loves the whole world,
And sent His Son, Jesus, to save, not to condemn.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
Born as God-with-us,
Who taught us in parables,
Who performed signs and wonders,
Who healed the sick, touched the unclean,
Received failures and welcomed them to his feast.
He trained common people as disciples
And sent them into the world with his saving love.
He was betrayed, rejected, mocked, tortured, and crucified.
But he rose from death and is alive and with us always,
And lives in us, the hope of glory,
Indwelling and filling us through the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the Holy Spirit
Who unites us and gives us gifts
So we can serve one another in love.
The Spirit transforms us to live in the way of Christ
And empowers us to make Christ known
In gracious words and deeds of justice and compassion.
The Spirit bears fruit in us
Of love, joy, peace, and all sorts of goodness
And is at work in the world, moving like the wind.
The Holy Spirit invites us into the eternal dance of love:
Father, Son, and Spirit, mutually indwelling,
Moving for, with, in, and through creation,
Forever and forever.
Amen.
Reflection
Where do you need Jesus’ healing (urgent or long-term situation)?
What does it look like to go to Him for healing?
Where is God calling you to be an instrument of His compassionate healing?
Benediction
May the God of creation breathe on you,
May the God of all life sustain you,
May the God of all gods grant you forgiveness.
Go into this week knowing your life
has been touched by the triune God.
You are cleansed by the mercy of the Father.
You are surrounded by the love of Christ.
You are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.
[Photo by Ridho Nur Imansyah @ Flickr]